“Teaching Will is one of the easiest tasks I’ve had in my life,” Byrd said. “He’s amazing ... he asks so many questions ... he’s approachable and he’s brilliant.”

Freeman said Byrd is the most unique teacher he’s ever had.

“She’s so enthusiastic about chemistry,” he said. “She’s amazing and cares for her children’s well-being in and out of school.”

Freeman said he’s not sure what college he’ll attend in the fall, “but I’m hoping to get a letter from Yale,” he said adding that he plans to study medicine. His father, William, is a dermatologist.

Freeman will now go to Atlanta in April to compete for the title of State PAGE STAR Student. Monday’s program was hosted and sponsored by Middle Georgia State College, Central Georgia Health Systems and State Bank & Trust Co. in partnership with the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.

In its sixth year, the STAR program has honored more than 23,500 students and the teachers they have selected as having had the most influence on their academic success.

Freeman and other STAR Student honorees were selected, in part, based on their SAT scores and were also in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average.